Posts Tagged ‘Thai Elephant’

Go Far East Downtown

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Dining in Downtown Phoenix is hotter than Sriracha sauce and in no food genre is Downtown’s upward trending more apparent than Asian dining.

In the last year alone Downtown Phoenix has added five (!) Asian dining spots, with a sixth (Jimmy Carlin’s Asian chop house concept Silk Sushi) coming soon to the Kimpton Palomar hotel at CityScape.

Here’s a quick rundown of Asian dining options in Downtown Phoenix:

Sing High Chop Suey House

The elder statesman of Downtown Phoenix restaurants, Sing High Chop Suey House has been serving up classic Chinese dishes–from orange chicken and chow mein to the namesake chop suey–for over 80 years. History, delicious food, wallet-friendly prices, and free on-site parking.  Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Urban Wok

Located in Phoenix Convention Center’s Metro Marche, Urban Wok’s menu offers basic food court-style Asian fare, including Beef & Broccoli, General Tso or Sesame Chicken, and Sweet & Sour Pork. Hours are dependent on Convention Center events.

Yasda Bento

Open for lunch Monday-Friday, Yasda Bento is the place to go when you want a fast, filling and inexpensive meal. Located on Adams Street between First Avenue and Central, Yasda Bento is mostly known for Japanese-style rice bowls but also offers plates, soups, and salads.

Thai-ElephantThai Elephant

Just a few steps from Yasda Bento you’ll find Thai Elephant, consistently one of the best-reviewed restaurants in Downtown. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, Thai Elephant’s menu includes over 100 dishes including everything from curry and noodles to grilled proteins and fried rice. Favorites include Hawaiian Lover, Pad Thai, Siamese Basil and Panang.

Hsin Cafe

Perfectly situated next to Taylor Place on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix, Hsin Cafe warms the bellies of students and workers alike with its healthy family recipes, including Beef & Mushrooms, Chow Mein, Beef Stew, and Curry Bowls. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Nobuo at Teeter House

Located in historic Heritage Square, James Beard Award-winning chef Nobuo Fukudu encourages patrons to leave behind familiar thoughts and expectations of sushi rolls or teriyaki to prepare for a entirely new Japanese cuisine experience. Notable: Nobuo received a rare five-star review from longtime Arizona Republic food critic Howard Seftel. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday.

Viet Kitchen

Part of the formidable cluster of Asian restaurants located between First Avenue and Central and Adams and Monroe, Viet Kitchen has incredible Pho noodle dishes, barbecued chicken, pork sandwiches, and some of the tastiest spring rolls you’ll find anywhere.

Thai Basil

A couple doors down from Viet Kitchen is Thai Basil, the favorite Asian dining brand known throughout the Valley and former winner of the Phoenix New Times’ “Best Thai Restaurant” award. Thai Basil offers flavorful curry and noodle dishes, as well as grilled and stir fry plates. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Thai’d Up

Located on Central and Adams, Thai’d Up brings the heat with its lunch and dinner specials, which include Drunken Noodles, Spicy Eggplant, Moo Dang, Spicy Green Bean, Pad Thai, Ginger Angel, plus Pho and curry dishes. Be sure to try the Coconut Soup, which will blow your mind and taste buds. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

Kokoro Sushi & Noodle Bar

Located in Arizona Center, Kokoro is the place to go to get your sushi fix. What Kokoro lacks in square footage (it’s cozy) it more than makes up for with taste and value. Beyond classic sushi rolls, Kokoro’s menu features noodle dishes, salads and can’t miss lunch specials like chicken or beef and rice, alad, 4-piece California roll and 3-piece tempura all for $8.50. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Hopefully this list has made you extremely hungry and you’ll take your appetite to one of these excellent restaurants. Better yet, try them all!

Downtown Food Diaries Returns

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

This week we posed the following questions to our online community:

1) Where do you take a date out to dinner in Downtown Phoenix

2) Who dishes up Downtown’s best pizza?

3) If you only have 15 minutes for lunch, where do you go?

74866776And here are some of the answers we received…

“I love 1130 The Restaurant or Sam’s Cafe at Arizona Center. The patio at Sam’s Cafe is so wonderful, especially when it’s lit up at night.”Kim W. [via Facebook]

Hanny’s is a great place for drinks–strong, classy and smooth. Roosevelt Tavern is also a great neighborhood bar.”az_cdog [via Twitter]

 

“1) Hard Rock Cafe; 2) BKLYN’S NYC Pizza; 3) Fabulous food at the Arizona Science Center.”Courtney S. [via Facebook]

“Cibo for a date, Hanny’s or Cibo for pizza, and Two Hippies Tacos for a 15-minute lunch.”Penny B. [via Facebook]

Sing High. Why? Pork Fried Rice!”c_licious [via Twitter]

“1) Main Ingredient; 2) I work next to Z Pizza so that’s my default; 3) Hero Factory!”Valerie P. [via Facebook]

“1) The District; 2) Cibo; 3) Majerle’s.”Lynn S. [via Facebook]

“1) Thai Elephant; 2) Cafe Roma; 3) 7-11.”Demitrius R. [via Facebook]

“Cheuvront’s  has an urban atmosphere and great wine list.”wklywinejournal [via Twitter]

“Cibo! Love that place… best pizza and very romantic!”Padmaja K. [via Facebook]

“Local Breeze for brunch dates!”Amanda H. [via Facebook]

“1) Coronado Cafe; 2) Pizzeria Bianco; 3) Pane Bianco.”Rafael N. [via Facebook]

Thanks for all of your great responses and stay tuned for more posts chronicling Downtown Food Diaries  

Want to devour more Downtown dining news? Text “FOOD” to 25866

Downtown Lite

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

It’s time to man up, grit our collective teeth and forge ahead with our New Year’s Resolutions on diet and health. I’ve talked to restaurant managers across Downtown Phoenix to find healthy options for dining out, which you’ll find listed below.

First, to make sure I’m giving you some good basic advice, I’ve sought out the diva of diet, the queen of culinary do-right, Oprah herself. While she doesn’t always follow her own advice, Oprah does have terrific medical advisors, including Dr. David Katz, a world-renowned specialist in nutrition. Here are a few key tips from Dr. Katz and other specialists:

Make half of every meal fruits or vegetables. This way, you get enough nutrients and you automatically reduce the number of fat and calories you consume. Just watch out for fatty dressings and toppings.

Be sure to limit sugar, eat high-fiber carbs like whole wheat bread, and include some healthy proteins in every meal – like eggs, chicken, fish or beans – to help you feel full and stay on your plan. Another good tip: keep the ingredient list short in the foods you eat or the items you order. Longer lists usually equal more sugar, salt and calories.

OK, enough nagging. Here are some suggestions for eating lite Downtown:

Sonoma Casual Dining

If Dr. Katz were here, he’d give these guys a gold star. Their breakfast-all-day menu includes fresh whole grain crepes with fruit and a build-your-own omelet bar. Choose the veggie omelet and ask for egg whites or egg substitutes. Another great choice is the grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli dish, the perfect diet lunch. If you prefer, Sonoma will even cook your food with PAM instead of butter. [Editor's Note: The Breakfast Joynt has taken over breakfast at Sonoma and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Go check 'em out.]

Thai Elephant

The Imperial Veggies dish is an excellent option. You can add tofu for protein and choose brown rice over white rice for a higher fiber content.

First Watch

At First Watch, they’ve made it easy to pick out the healthiest item on the menu. It’s called Not Guilty. A whole-wheat tortilla encloses this veggie wrap, which includes a side of hummus.

hard_rock_cafe-003Hard Rock Café

If you want something filling, order the salmon at the Hard Rock. It comes with a side of broccoli and mashed potatoes, but they’ll be happy to substitute something healthier for the spuds.

Hanny’s

The Beet Salad is seriously healthy. Big slices of gorgeous red and yellow beets, topped with either gorgonzola or goat cheese – hey, there’s your protein – are accompanied by fresh greens with a lemon vinaigrette.

Coach & Willie’s

The Chicken Italiano might be your best bet. It’s a grilled chicken breast topped with fresh mozzarella and roma tomatoes. A tasty and very filling lunch, high in protein and low in carbs.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

Light and delicious, the Baby Arugula Salad is made with heirloom tomatoes, pine nuts and fresh mozzarella. Order the sweet basil dressing on the side, and use it sparingly.